Carlini said the veteran officers were placed on leave for separate matters.

With Ynclan and Boatman on leave, Tulare police now has three high-ranking members out. Chief Wes Hensley was placed on paid leave four weeks ago. Barry Jones, the department's most senior officer, was named interim chief.

Carlini said Hensley, Ynclan and Boatman are on leave for different reasons.

Tulare Police Department Fred Ynclan.(Photo: Archive)

All three have been described by local community leaders as "honest, hard-working" police officers.

An independent investigation will be launched on the matters related to Ynclan and Boatman, Carlini said. An investigation is supposed to be underway for Hensley, but it's unclear if that process has started.

Hensley has asked for a public hearing if he's to be disciplined. Many have speculated that his leave is connected to a dinner between Mayor Carlton Jones and the head of the Tulare Police Officers Association.

The details of that dinner, except that Jones used a city credit card to pay for the meals, haven't been released.

Despite the absences from three- high ranking members, Tulare police will continue to serve the community, Carlini said.

Tulare Police Department Jarod Boatman.(Photo: Archive)

"Just like any other organization, they have personnel who can step up and fill in until the investigation is done," he said. "We have enough people in the department who can step up to those positions."

Tulare Police Department has more than 100 employees and is the city's biggest expense to the general fund.

Ynclan was hired as a police officer on Jan. 19, 2001 and promoted to corporal on Nov. 4, 2006. He was promoted to sergeant on Aug. 16, 2008, and lieutenant on June 28, 2014. He was named captain on April 18, 2015. His annual salary is $113,878.

Boatman was hired as an officer on Nov. 13, 2001, and promoted to corporal on Nov. 4, 2006. Boatman was promoted to sergeant on March 27, 2010, and lieutenant on April 18, 2015. His annual salary is $108,220.

Carlini said he's confident the department is strong enough to deal with the absences.
"We will get through this," he said. "We are Tulare strong. We will overcome."

Carlini said it is best to deal with matters when they are brought up.

"You have to address it," he said. "If you don't address it, you are not doing your job."